Kilkenny greyhounds: Dutch Dream shows top form again

Reporter:

@kilkennypeoplesport

6 Feb 2018

0

Racing at St James Park greyhound track on Friday night was run off in continuous rain.The best run of the night was recorded in the last race of the night where the old dependable Dutch Dream, trained by Murt Leahy, stopped the clock at 29.37 on a track that was rated .40 slow. Dutch Dream was sent off 7/4 joint favourite for the second semi-final of the a2 stake with Optimistic Misty. Those who sided with John Coleman’s Dutch Dream were happy from trap rise as he lit out, leading the dangerous Jaytee Dakota in the process. Once he got the bend, Dutch Dream gave himself a solo. The son of Sparta Maestro and Hylda Glyder never missed a beat all the way, coming home four lengths clear of the fast finishing Obama Country.The other semi-final went the way of Slaneyside Dolly while Oldburrin Diva was the pick of the graded winners.The night started with a dominating performance from Old Road Flyer. The winner started well on the outer and got the bend from trap six. Old Road Flyer moved three lengths clear of Kits Best at the second bend, a lead that he increased to four lengths into the third. Old Road Flyer motored on as Kits Best had no more to give. In the en Old Road Flyer crossed the line six lengths clear of the running on Coolside May in 30.05.Plenty of moneyThere was plenty of money about in the second race with support for Jaytee Jaguar and Sals Express. The former was slow away while Sals Express started better in company with Oldburrin Diva. The latter got the better of it into the first bend, cutting off Sals Express in the process. Diva went on and was a half a length in front of High St Vee at the second turn. The duo battled on into the third where Oldburrin Diva took control. In the latter stages of a thrilling contest, Oldburrin Diva got the better of High St Vee by a length and a half in 29.45.Ballygur Henry showed the early dash in the third race and led up on the outer. Henry cut across the bend, causing plenty of bother. Once the sand had settled, Ballygur Henry was left seven lengths clear of Rocky Legend. Powered down back straightThe challenger powered down the back stretch and was a little over a length off Ballygur Henry turning for home. Ballygur Henry dug deep but it was not enough as Rocky Legend swept by to go on and score by two lengths from Garryglass Fungi in 29.79. In the fourth race, Ascot Grace started best and got the better of Pops Miracle into the first turn. Triangle Dasher ran the bends well and was much closer to the pace than usual turning down the far side, sitting just a length behind Ascot Grace. Triangle Dasher took over into the third bend and eased away to defeat a rallying Pops Miracle by three lengths in 30.17.The early pace of the a4 bitch 525 race came on out the outer. Gortkelly Eve trapped out best but it was Ratchies Milano who got the bend from trap 5. There was little more than a half a length between the pair at the second.Ratchies Milano continued to shade it into the third. The duo were joined at the business end by Foleys Gift and all was to play for off the last. Foleys Gift, trained by Michael English, powered between the pair and got up to deny Gortkelly Eve by a half a length in 29.67.FavouriteAngel Holy was sent off the 6/4 favourite for the a5 contest, but she had to give best early on to Archaton Becca, who led up. There was crowding around the opening turn and Angel Holly saw any chance evaporate. Metro Gypsy made ground on the outer to sit three lengths adrift of the pace setter down the far side. Archaton Becca kept battling away up front, but as the line approaching Metro Gypsy would not be denied. Metro Gypsy got up to defeat the long time leader by a half a length in 30.10.On the run up in race seven (a3 525) it was Local Dainty who showed best, but into the bend she collided with an improving Silva Hill. Silva Hill went on and held a three length lead down the far side with Tavern Trooper in chase. Tavern Tropper kept on coming at Silva Hill late on, but it just was not enough and Silva Hill, trained by Karol Ramsbottom, won by a neck in 29.61.Fundraising NightsThe first of the a2 semi-finals was an open betting heat with Chanceme Jay sent off a 2/1 favourite. The race was level early doors and around the opening two bends. Chanceme Jay took it up and led down the back straight and looked to be well positioned. Chanceme Jay continued to lead but it would not be enough as the Derek Kehoe trained Slaneyside Dolly came from the clouds to snatch victory. Once a full eight lengths adrift, Dolly powered up the home stretch to get up and win by a neck in 29.49.

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